City council is said to be divided on whether to give a $5-million contract for 30 city transit buses to Winnipeg's New Flyer Industries Ltd. or Quebec's General Motors Ltd.

The 29 councillors are to make their decision Wednesday. Two civic committees have provided conflicting recommendations on which firm should get the job.

"It's going to be very close," Mayor Bill Norrie said. "If (it) comes down to a tie vote in council — I will break the tie."

Norrie said he favors New Flyer because of what he terms discriminatory trade practices in the province of Quebec.

While General Motors, of St. Therese, Que., is allowed to bid on bus contracts all over North America, New Flyer cannot bid on Quebec jobs because the Manitoba firm does not operate a plant there, Norrie said.

Last week, civic executive policy commitee recommended GM get the award because it provided the lower bid.

The decision overturned an earlier rulling by the works and operations committee.

GM's $5.131-million bid was $86,000 lower than New Flyer's.

"On the basis of the two committees — it's a tie," Norrie said. &But I know of at least one councillor who has changed his mind in favor of (New) Flyer."

Meanwhile, some councillors toured New Flyer's Transcona plant Friday to get more information about the firm's product.

Councillors Doreen Demare (Seine Valley), Magnus Eliason (Redboine), Ernie Gilroy (Sargent Park), and Bob Rose (Glenlawn) were guided through the plant by senior New Flyer officials.

Eliason, who favors New Flyer, said he has conducted a straw poll and predicts 14 members of council — including Norrie — could support the Manitoba firm.

He said he's counting on 15 votes — and Norrie's tie-breaking vote — to win the contract for new Flyer.

He said the following 11 councillors are also prepared to vote in favor of New Flyer:

John Angus (University), Larry Fleisher (Crescent Heights), Anne Joroski (Miles MacDonell), Harry Lazarenko (Norquay), Helen Promislow (Kildonan Park), Guy Savoie (Tache), Alf Skowron (Elmwood), John Steel (Grannt's Mill), Eric Stefanson (St. Charles), Harold Taylor (Memorial), and Terry Wachniak (Mynarski).

Eliason said he feels Alan Wade (Notre Dame) will support New Flyer.

"Now maybe somebody will hit Don Gerrie (Riverview) on the head and he will come around. We are working on Bob Douglas (Stevenson)."

Policy committee members favoring GM have said that to award the deal to the highest bidder — without declaring a preference for local products — would throw the tendering system into disrepute.

Eliason said awarding the contract to New Flyer just makes good business sense.

He said GM would capture 20 per cent of the New Flyer contract anyway, because GM manufactures the engines and transmissions for New Flyer.